Since Dutch oil surveyors arrived in Sorong West Papua, in 1908, the city has been referred to as the City of Oil. People referred to Sorong City as a city rich in the historical legacy of former Dutch oil corporations or as one city with the characteristics of the Heritage Nederlands Neuw Guinea Maschcapeij (NNGPM). One of the reasons the Dutch occupied Irian (the previous name for Papua), which was later given to Indonesia in 1962, was the abundant oil mine near Sorong.
Why Sorong West Papua?
Tuna and shrimp, the principal export goods, are abundant in Sorong’s seas. Shark fins and sea cucumbers are sold to Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Sorong exports wood. The logs are immediately shipped by ship overseas. Due to government constraints, milling and processing are currently limited to the Sorong city region. Consequently, Sorong received a plywood plant.
Sorong is the most dynamic and quickly rising city in all of Papua. To move about the city of Sorong, you can take rickshaws, taxis, and rental automobiles.
Why Visiting Sorong a Must?
1. Beautiful, Beautiful Twilight
If you enjoy twilight and sunset, you should visit the city of Sorong West Papua. You can find twilight hues in this metropolis that you might have never seen before. So, don’t assume that the Raja Ampat Islands are the only place where you may watch stunning sunsets. There are still numerous locations in West Papua Province where the evening is so breathtaking.
2. One of the World’s Underwater Paradises
Because of its exceptional underwater beauty, the Raja Ampat Islands in West Papua Province are frequently referred to as the “Amazon of the Sea.” Raja Ampat is an archipelago with many islands that you may visit. Visit Misool Island, positioned next to the Seram Sea and just north of Raja Ampat.
Misool, a part of the Raja Ampat Islands, is relatively remote from Raja Ampat’s center but has a ton of attractions that you won’t find anywhere else, so it’s not surprising that it’s been dubbed one of the world’s underwater paradises.
3. Sorong’s Iconic Wayag
The Raja Ampat Islands have come to be associated with Wayag. With a turquoise sea floor in the center of the Raja Ampat sea, which is so pure and blue, the towering karst clusters are lovely.
You also need to climb one of them to get a sense of just how large this region is and to be able to observe the whole Wayag cluster. Wayag is not just one of the Raja Ampat Islands’ significant shark habitats, despite its stunning appearance from above.
4. Sorong’s Port
The Sorong Port serves many purposes than only facilitating travel to and from Raja Ampat. This port opens doors for investment opportunities and serves as the headquarters for oil businesses operating in Sorong West Papua.
This port houses not only oil firms but also marine fishing facilities such as an ice plant, auction house, and fish landing base. Sorong City is one of the entry points to Papua Island for investors because of its port.
5. Wersar Trikora Monument
The history of the people’s battle to restore Papua to the Motherland is preserved in the Trikora Monument in Wersar Village, Teminabuan District. The site of the 1962 quick deployment of the Indonesian Air Force (AURI) is now the location of the Trikora Monument. The soldiers arrived as part of Komando Trikora, the West Irian Liberation Operation.
The government built this monument to honor the Indonesian Air Force paratroopers who lost their lives bringing Papua back to the Republic of Indonesia. For the first time in Papua, the Red and White flag was flown in Wersar Village, Teminabuan, during that time.
6. Sapta Ratna Pagoda
The Sapta Ratna Pagoda is the sole pagoda that Buddhists in Sorong West Papua, and its environs can use as a place of prayer and a repository for cremated remains. The seven-story structure’s original name is Qi Bao Ta, and in Sorong City, it also represents interreligious tolerance. But with time, this place turned into one tourist hotspot. The view of Sorong City toward the sea is well seen from the Sapta Ratna Pagoda.
Final Takeaway
Sorong West Papua, offers a variety of natural tourist spots in addition to others. Some of these might be used as a guide to help you plan an intriguing and enjoyable holiday. Make sure you thoroughly plan your trip before leaving because you won’t be able to see all of these places in a single day.
